Miami Open presented by Itaú Wednesday, March 24, 2021 Miami, Florida, USA John Isner Press Conference

experience is now compared to normal?

THE MODERATOR: Good afternoon. We have our 2018 JOHN ISNER: Yeah, that's a good question. Miami Open champion, John Isner. In 2019 the player experience just being at the Hard Rock We'll take questions. for the first time ever, the amount of room the players had to warm up and to stretch and to do what they wanted to Q. Can you talk a little bit about what it feels like to be do, to be on the field to warm up, it was incredible. Even back in Miami. Obviously you've won that tournament, more so this year because, as we all know, the big center but it must have a much different feel. court is not built into the stadium right now.

JOHN ISNER: Yeah, well, for sure, I mean, of course good The whole football field is ours, so it's pretty cool to go out memories at this tournament. 2018 in Crandon Park, then there and throw the football around, run some routes, very good memories in 2019 as well, here the first year at pretend like you're playing in the NFL (smiling). the Hard Rock Stadium. No, the player experience here has been excellent. I've always liked playing here. It's good to be back. It's They've done a very good job. James Blake has done an been a two-year break, which has been unfortunate for us amazing job of providing an awesome experience for the players. It's also unfortunate that we don't have the great players. We have lots of room and lots of fun things to do. Miami fans back in full force. But next year we will have The players are happy to be here. It's just good to be back that. at one of the mainstays of the ATP and WTA Tour: Miami. We all missed it last year. Everything has been different in tennis, in all sports really. At least we do have some fans in the stands this year to Q. Who are you running routes with? Are you the provide a pretty neat little atmosphere. The players are quarterback or receiver? going to be looking forward to playing in front of them. JOHN ISNER: I'm a quarterback because I'm slow. But, Q. Do you find you miss the fans or sometimes maybe no, Sam Querrey, Stevie Johnson, people like that. Mostly it's even easier without them, almost like a practice the American guys. We're not the ones kicking the soccer situation? ball around, that's for sure.

JOHN ISNER: Yeah, I guess it does make things easier, Q. What do you think about the prize money for this maybe a little more seamless. You're not kind of walking tournament? I've heard some say to me they feel like through them to get to your practice court or whatnot. maybe the tournament could have made more of an effort on that front. What is your view? But we all would trade that in a heartbeat to have them back, be able to provide the great atmospheres we're used JOHN ISNER: They could have made more of an effort to to playing in front of. make it better, you're saying?

Q. Some of the players have talked a little bit about Q. Yes, that they're disappointed with it. some of the things they've done to try to make it enjoyable for you guys, even though obviously the fan JOHN ISNER: Look, yeah, it's not what we've been energy isn't there. We're not allowed inside the accustomed to. At the same time we know that stadium, I am here, but what have they done with the tournaments in the past year don't have the ticketing field? I heard you guys have a lot more space to work revenue that they're used to having. Of course, our prize out there, they have some soccer fields, outdoor money is going to take a hit because of that, too. To dig workout things. Can you define what the player

105913-1-1004 2021-03-24 18:54:00 GMT Page 1 of 5 into why it's lower, I don't really have all those details. the system, not about the prize money at all.

I think for some of the players, it's not so much about the Q. Why do you think the men's players have objected prize money. We don't really want to make it about that. so much compared to the women? The women, it's Maybe it's about tour structure that the players would like pretty much all hands on deck. Why do you think the to have a little bit more, I guess, better knowledge of as to men have been so much crabbier about this? why decisions are made, what went into making each decision. JOHN ISNER: It's an unfortunate situation the tour is in right now with no Indian Wells. You don't have these Again, it's really not about the money. Of course, we would back-to-back events. It's gone to kind of one standalone prefer to be playing for a bigger purse. There's just a little Masters event in America. So for the top players in bit of uncertainty about how those numbers came into play, Europe, I guess it's understandable. Maybe in the current why the prize money is what it is. climate we're in, it doesn't fit their schedule too well with Rafa and Roger and Novak and Thiem, all the guys that Again, look, we're all here to play and to compete, and are out. You said 31 of the top 100. we're happy to be here. I guess it's a big commitment to come over here for just Q. Your answer has a little bit different tone than I sort one tournament, then immediately to go back over to of expected from the tweets you put out before the Europe. For the older guys, the three I mentioned, the tournament, kind of ripping the tournament for not three greatest players we've ever seen, probably doesn't having more prize money, thinking they had more make sense for them. That's probably because there's no money on offer than they were giving you guys. Has Indian Wells before this event. your opinion changed? Have you found out more information recently? And then you talk about guys The calendar has taken a big hit has well. We know that. I being happy to be there. 31 of the top 100 ATP guys think the main reason why players aren't here is because are not at this event. What do you make of that this is just a standalone event. It's not necessarily about situation? the prize money. It's just more of a scheduling conflict.

JOHN ISNER: I'll get to answering the previous question. Q. Since we last had a chance to speak to you, Wimbledon have announced that they're going to be It's really not the about the prize money. It's about the putting all players compulsorily in a hotel probably in system. I think my tweet that you're referring to, that's what the center of London. I imagine someone like yourself, I was referring to, not so much about the prize money. It's I know you have a family now, you've probably enjoyed about the system of the ATP and why the decisions are staying close to the courts in private accommodation made and what goes into the prize money being so low. for your career there. Just wondering what your It's not about the actual prize money itself. feelings are about that? As a guy with a family, has it been a topic of conversation? As I mentioned earlier, of course, we would like to be playing for more, but we understand with the loss of JOHN ISNER: Yeah, that's a good question. That's ticketing revenue, our purses are going to go down. But something that I guess was announced pretty recently. I there are some players that have questions about why it guess, very unfortunate. I think a lot of players, myself was down so much. The tour has implemented a strategy included, would much prefer to stay closer to the courts that is keeping the lower rounds pretty similar. The prize and rent a house, especially with my family also. This year money in the quarters, semis and finals, has been chopped at Wimbledon doesn't look like that's going to be the case. quite a bit. The top players in our game have taken a big hit as far as the prize money is concerned recently. That's their decision. They want to keep everyone safe that way, keep the tournament running smoothly. So you Look, there's always going to be some things that players can't fault them for that. are unhappy about. I do think recently the players have felt like the tour has been more transparent with them. We're There are a lot of players that, of course, would much trying to understand the process a bit more. prefer to stay in private housing. That's one of the unique things about Wimbledon, is you can rent a house and walk Again, as I said, we're here. Of course, we'd like to be to the courts, play your match, walk back. It's very, very playing for more prize money. There's a lot worse things cool. It won't have that same feel this year. going on out there in the world. Again, my tweet is about

105913-1-1004 2021-03-24 18:54:00 GMT Page 2 of 5 But hopefully, of course, that's just going to be the case in JOHN ISNER: I don't know what you're referring to as far 2021. If I'm still going in 2022, I'll be back at Wimbledon as 'something'. with my family having a good time in a house. Q. Something more concrete rather than just Q. There's been a lot of discussions generally this discussions. week around the whole sort of bubble in Miami as well. Has it been a topic of conversation? JOHN ISNER: Well, look, we all know that the PTPA is trying to get underway. Maybe it's a bit of a slow rollout. I JOHN ISNER: Yeah, it has. The bubble environment I think the purpose behind it is still good. A lot of players, think for all professional tennis players, men and women maybe a lot of people at the ATP (indiscernible) agree with alike, has been very difficult. I'm one that's I guess been me. shielded from it because I haven't played as much. I wasn't in Australia to be a part of that bubble, which was That's something that is still in the process for sure. It's very, very taxing on the players from what I hear. Mentally something that I'm a part of, as well. I think ultimately it more so than physically. could be healthy for the tour. Some people would definitely disagree with me. It's tough traveling the world. I guess in one sense, we are pretty spoiled. We get to travel the world, go to these Look, nothing drastic or anything like that is going to amazing cities, leave the hotel, eat at amazing restaurants, happen. Players aren't all of a sudden going to stop see all the sights. We haven't been able to do that. We playing. We've certainly had a lot of questions. I think the understand why. pandemic has maybe highlighted some of the issues that for a long time players have had issue with. As the situation seems to be getting better around the world, there are some questions about can the bubble Q. Back in January 2020 you said that you were environment be lessened a little bit, can the players have a leaning towards not playing in the 2020 Olympics. little bit more freedom. I would like to have the Obviously a lot has happened since then. What are responsibility, in my opinion, fall on the players to be your thoughts on the 2021 Olympics? Have you made careful and take care of themselves. a final decision on that?

From what I know right now, the PGA TOUR doesn't have JOHN ISNER: Yeah, I was in 2020 going to not play the a bubble environment. Maybe it's not something you Olympics. Given everything that's gone on, that option completely get rid of the bubble whatsoever, but I guess was, again, presented to me. But I'm not going to play the you could lessen some of the restrictions we're under right Olympics in 2021 this year. I'm going to stay closer to now. I think that would go a long way in helping the home and be with my family and focus on the events that psyche of the players. will be back stateside.

Q. Could I clarify there. Are you saying some players Q. We spoke in Delray when you made your you feel might choose not to play Wimbledon this year announcement you weren't going to Australia. With all because of the accommodation arrangement? the stories of the quarantine, some players having to be 14 days in a hotel without leaving, how happy are JOHN ISNER: No, no. I didn't say that. If I did, I you with that decision to stay in a free country in the apologize. I don't believe I said that. I think maybe you US? If you had been 14 days in a room, how do you misinterpreted me. That's not what I said. think your body would have held up after that?

I just think players would prefer, a lot of players, to be at JOHN ISNER: Good question. private housing closer to the courts. Myself, I've probably played Wimbledon 12 times. I've never stayed at a hotel I do think I ultimately made a good decision because before. It's kind of what a lot of players are used to. everything that had gone on the first two weeks for even the players that weren't in the hard quarantine, there were Q. It seems that the talk about the tour setup in still some issues, a bunch of guys and girls that couldn't get general is ramping up. I've been hearing there's chat out of the rooms for a couple days. I certainly did not miss behind the scenes about it. Do you think we might any of that. That's for sure. reach a point soon where something happens? How long can talking go on for? But, of course, once the Australian Open started, I wished I was over there. The decision I made I think was a good

105913-1-1004 2021-03-24 18:54:00 GMT Page 3 of 5 one, one that I thought long and hard about. Hopefully I'll Q. With the women showing up more to Miami than be back next year under normal circumstances. the men, you said like there's only one event in the States, the women have Charleston and the second If I had to endure the 14-day quarantine, I know so many Charleston event. Do you think the tour could have people around the world have done it, any citizen that done more stuff, consolidating events geographically, wants to come back to Australia has done it, but for an events in the same venue or close by, to be more athlete, especially a bigger athlete like myself, we need a pandemic friendly? There has been not a lot of that on lot more space. I think that would have been pretty difficult the calendar except for the Melbourne warmup events. for me. It would have taken its toll on my body for sure. Naturally being so big, I feel like I need a lot of space to go JOHN ISNER: No, I do feel like they could have made that around and breathe the air or whatnot. If I was in that easier on the players. But again, I don't know the situation, that would have been a tough pill for me to ins-and-outs of all that. I don't know the financial swallow, would have been pretty difficult. repercussions of keeping all the players in one area.

Look, a lot of the players endured it. Some handled it very It seems like players would have appreciated it a little bit as well. I know Jennifer Brady made the finals after a well, had we had a cluster of events in one specific area two-week hard lockdown. Some didn't, and that's instead of traveling all over the world. understandable for sure. One of the big issues is we're always at risk of contracting Q. I'll actually ask you a tennis question. How are you the virus, being in a two-week lockdown in a city far away feeling physically and mentally going into the from home. That's a risk that a lot of players have been tournament? willing to take. To do that in an environment where the money is much less I guess is very risky on our part. JOHN ISNER: Yeah, I actually feel all right. I was able to Players have had to endure that before. That's certainly play Acapulco last week and play a couple matches. One unfortunate. was good, one was not so good. To be able to get a couple matches before this tournament under my belt was But again, I just can't speak as to why it wasn't done pretty crucial because I haven't played that much in the last because I don't know about all those discussions behind year. It's been a year since the tour shut down. It's good closed doors. I just don't. So I think it's not that our also to be back in Miami, a place where I've had very good leadership is trying to sabotage our sport by any means. experiences before. They're trying to do the best they can for our sport. Some players just naturally have questions about that. I wouldn't say probably this is the best I've ever played, but hopefully I can get this tournament started and try to create But, look, I guess the most important thing is that we still some momentum for myself and see what I can do. do believe in our product on the ATP Tour. I know the WTA believes in their product as well. This all will Physically I'm healthy. Mentally I feel pretty fresh. I'll just eventually pass and things will become normal again, and need to try to get off to a good start and see what I can do things in our sport will be in a lot better shape. from there. Q. Have you gotten vaccinated? Are you planning on Q. What is going to be your schedule after Miami? doing that? Heading over to Europe? JOHN ISNER: No, I haven't gotten vaccinated. I haven't JOHN ISNER: Yeah, I mean, I plan on playing the clay thought about it. I think maybe I should be last in line to court stuff. I missed the clay court season in 2019. Yeah, I get vaccinated. Most important is that of course anyone at want to go over there and be a part of that. I entered risk and older gets vaccinated before I do. I'm not in any Monte-Carlo and Madrid and Rome. Of course, I'll play the hurry to get that done, that's for sure. French Open. I'll probably be doing the thing if I go to Monte-Carlo, I'll come back home, Madrid and Rome, Q. What is it like being at a tournament without Roger maybe come back home again. I don't want to spend too and Novak and Rafa? much time over there away from the family. JOHN ISNER: Yeah, probably it's never happened much I do plan on playing a pretty full clay court season. I'll take at all in the last 12 years, 13 years or something. It's my shot at the big events and see how I do. definitely got a different feel to it.

105913-1-1004 2021-03-24 18:54:00 GMT Page 4 of 5 But if you look at the draw itself, our tour on the men's side is so deep. There's so many good players, so many good unseeded players, so many good matches out on these courts. In a sense, it's a good litmus test as to how people perceive this event without those three guys, because of course they won't be playing forever.

I think it's a unique opportunity for a lot of players to try to do well in this event without them in the field. It's also a unique opportunity to be able to showcase all the players that aren't Roger, Rafa and Novak.

We're looking forward to a great event here. Hopefully fans at home will tune in as much as they possibly can and hopefully they enjoy.

Q. You mentioned having the players sort of be more responsible for themselves. Do you have the full trust of your fellow players that they would act responsibly? You're older, have a family. You have 21-year-olds, 22-year-olds on this tour. They may have different interests than you do.

JOHN ISNER: I don't think it's a situation where we can just completely release the bubble, but just kind of make it easier on players. I think we would appreciate that.

To a certain extent, you do have to have some faith in your colleagues that they're going to be smart about what they're doing to keep everyone safe, to try to prevent the spread of this virus. As it seems to be arresting more and more in the States, I think that's something that definitely needs to be discussed. The players certainly would appreciate that.

When you look at it in our country as a whole, a state like Florida hasn't been under the most harsh lockdown, that's for sure, compared to other states, and Florida is still in pretty good shape as far as the virus goes.

I think if you kind of have faith in your, for my case, colleagues, I think that will help our mental state better, help a lot of the guys' mental state better, and we'll be able to put forth a better product as well.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you.

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